Serie A' MD26: Roma - Parma [01-03-08]

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 26 - 1/3/08 (17.00 UK)
Roma - Parma

Stadio Olimpico

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Roma welcome Parma to the Stadio Olimpico in Week 26 hoping to regain some confidence ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid. That after the Giallorossi came within minutes of re-opening the title race on Wednesday when they conceded late on in a 1-1 draw at Inter.

If only Roma had been able to keep their 1-0 lead at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza then they could have been able to rewrite the future of this Serie A campaign. However, a late Javier Zanetti equaliser cut the Lupi’s ambitions short and may have handed the Nerazzurri their third consecutive Scudetto. With 13 games to go the Capitolini are still nine points behind the leaders, who are facing Napoli this weekend.

Meanwhile, Parma are fighting to get out of the relegation zone which means they will be desperate for points when they travel to the Eternal City. The Gialloblu are in 14th place with 25 points. They managed to beat Udinese 2-0 on Wednesday which has helped Coach Domenico Di Carlo keep hold of his job. In last year’s clash at the Olimpico the Emiliani were battered 3-0 and they will be looking to avoid such an ending this time around.

Roma boss Luciano Spalletti may opt for a reshuffle in his 4-2-3-1 formation. The Champions League tie is such a crucial part of the Giallorossi season that Spalletti will have to rest some players on Saturday evening.

The first on the list is Francesco Totti, who scored a fantastic goal against Inter, but is not 100 per cent fit and is expected to be handed a breather. Christian Panucci and David Pizarro may be left out as well, while Philippe Mexes is suspended. Marco Cassetti picked up a serious injury to his shoulder and will be out for at least three weeks.

Brazilian full-back Cicinho will get a chance from the first minute, while Matteo Ferrari and Juan will be the central defenders. Alberto Aquilani will take his place in midfield, while Ludovic Giuly could be preferred to Rodrigo Taddei. Up-front Mirko Vucinic will likely replace Totti.

Parma will be without Domenico Morfeo, who is injured. However, Di Carlo should be able to count on Andrea Gasbarroni. The Coach could line up a defensive 4-4-1-1 formation in the hope of hitting his opponents on the break. Cristiano Lucarelli should be the lone striker with Bernardo Corradi and Igor Budan sitting on the bench.

Keep an eye on: Mirko Vucinic (Roma) – It is never easy to replace captain Totti, but the Montenegrin has shown he can do a brilliant job as a lone striker.

Last season: Roma 3-0 Parma

Form guide: Roma (W L D W L) Parma (L D D L L)

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Roma (probable): Doni; Cicinho, Ferrari, Juan, Tonetto; De Rossi, Aquilani; Giuly, Perrotta, Mancini; Vucinic

Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Falcone, M Rossi, P Castellini; Dessena, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Gasbarroni; Lucarelli

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[dukeofdavinci]

well its parma home, i would happy if we can scrape a win or draw is a worst case scenario.

im looking more to the mid-week cl tie.that is by far way way important then the parma game but it doesnt mean we will sit on our laurels and throw the game.we need the pts to cement the 2nd spot but at the same time conserve our selfs for the cl.

[meccano]

This is more of a damage limitation game than anything. We NEVER get anything away to Roma.

Having said this it's probably the best time to play them as the match against Real is more important to them so they may play a weaker squad.

On the back of a solid win against Udinese I hope we can scrape a draw somehow....well one can always hope

[dukeofdavinci]

im hoping draw too..in a worst case scenario that is

none the less we will be gunning for 3 pts though.

[sinoy1]

4-0 Final.

Saw Totti's and Mirko's goal.We played extremely well.Albiet the last goal was completely lazy defending by Parma.Cicinho and iTunes(aka Antunes) played at the same time .Shortest backline .

Nontheless it was a great win.We need that momentum against Madrid.

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 26 - 1/3/08 (17.00 UK)
Roma 4 - 0 Parma
Aquilani 27 (R), Falcone og 51 (R), Totti 80 (R), Vucinic 93 (R)
Stadio Olimpico

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Alberto Aquilani's first goal since September and a Francesco Totti screamer helped Roma thrash Parma 4-0.

The Giallorossi were still smarting from the last-gasp 1-1 draw at Inter on Wednesday night, leaving them nine points adrift of the leaders and with their Scudetto dreams in shatters. They also had to prepare for the visit to Real Madrid, but there was not as much squad rotation as expected. Parma had only one focus - climbing out of the relegation zone. Philippe Mexes was suspended and Marco Cassetti injured.

Before kick-off there was a ceremony in which Giacomo Losi handed the captain's armband to Francesco Totti, as this week Er Pupone beat his record of 386 Serie A appearances for the club.

Ludovic Giuly fired just wide in the opening minute on Totti's assist, but Daniele Dessena was dangerous at the other end when nodding a corner kick on to the roof of the net.

Matteo Ferrari's error let Igor Budan get away from him and brought a tough save out of Alexander Doni at the near post.

Rodrigo Taddei got in front of Zenoni to turn his header just past the base of the upright.

The deadlock was eventually broken on 27 minutes to take the psychological pressure off Roma. Luca Bucci had to shoulder much of the blame, as he prodded a Max Tonetto cross on to the feet of Alberto Aquilani, who did not hesitate to stroke in with the inside of his left foot. The midfielder has struggled with injuries over the past two years and it was his first goal since September 2. It was a classic Roma move, as Aquilani had started it from the centre-circle and a series of passes later concluded the strike.

Giuly blasted over from distance, then Bucci made up for the earlier error by rushing out to smother the ball at Taddei's feet. The move continued and Totti flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Andrea Gasbarroni scored a brilliant free kick last week against Torino and almost repeated it by shaking the side-netting.

Straight after the restart Roma doubled their lead when Giulio Falcone accidentally and acrobatically knocked the ball into his own net as he tried to anticipate Christian Panucci.

Parma thought they were right back in the game moments later, but Budan's goal was harshly disallowed for a Castellini handling offence, as the contact was unclear. There was tension on the Gialloblu bench as Ferdinand Coly visibly swore at Coach Mimmo Di Carlo when he was substituted.

Taddei was a little too generous in passing to Totti rather than going for goal himself and Bucci plucked the deflected finish out of the air. There was controversy on 76 minutes when Falcone's backpass was picked up by Bucci for an indirect free kick from eight yards, but Totti's strike was deflected over off the on-rushing Parma players. It caused problems, as Aquilani had a brief argument with his captain over how he should have taken it.

Totti made up for it moments later, as Mauro Esposito's backheel on the right channel was smacked into the far top corner by Totti's right-foot screamer from outside the box. Bucci had no chance on a shot of such power.

Mirko Vucinic's effort on the bounce was fingertipped out from under the crossbar by the Parma goalkeeper and from the resulting corner Esposito's header was over.

Parma gave up entirely and a disastrous clearance by Zenoni basically turned into an assist for Vucinic to net from six yards.


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Roma: Doni; Cicinho, Panucci, Ferrari, Tonetto (Antunes 81); Brighi, Aquilani; Taddei, Giuly (Esposito 64), Mancini (Vucinic 73); Totti

Parma: Bucci; Coly (Pisanu 57), Falcone, M Rossi, Zenoni; Dessena, Morrone, Cigarini, Castellini; Gasbarroni (Reginaldo 78); Budan (Lucarelli 57)

Ref: Rocchi

nice game, but i am some what surprised wth the squad selection.wth real game in mid week spalletti picked up very strong side, not that i would like to see weaker side but i hoped to see some of the key players rested ahead of a very very important game.

but then again if we can show the resolve we showed today, then im confident for the cl game.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti gets into Madrid mood Saturday 1 March, 2008

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Luciano Spalletti is pleased Roma made victory over Parma “look easy” and gets into the mood to face Real Madrid.

“This game with Parma may have looked easy, but that was down to how well the lads played,” he said of the 4-0 drubbing.

“We proved that we are in good shape physically as well, so now all we need to do is lift the pressure and mood for the Real match.”

The Giallorossi won the first leg 2-1, but travel to the Bernabeu on Tuesday to challenge for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

“The second leg at the Bernabeu is a great opportunity to prove what we’re made of,” continued Spalletti.

“If we play like we did today, then we can certainly walk with our heads held high.”

This result temporarily cuts the gap from leaders Inter to six points and Francesco Totti believes it could remain that way.

“Roberto Mancini’s side have a very difficult test away to Napoli, but what counts is our consistency,” said the striker.

“We are six points behind them and all we can do now is do our best and hope Inter slip up.”

Before today’s match at the Olimpico there was a ceremony in which Totti was handed the captain’s armband by Roma legend Giacomo Losi, whose record of Serie A appearances for the club was broken this week.

“This was a feeling I will carry with me for my whole life,” smiled an emotional Totti after his 388th game.

“I remained at Roma, the club I have always supported, and it is a challenge I have been able to win.”

yeah thats the spirit!!!come on lads lets get the momentum going and build on.

all the mistakes seen in last nights game must be completely erased.coz bernabue is no place for the faint hearted.we need to stake our claim and hunger there.

[meccano]

Originally Posted by dukeofdavinci

nice game, but i am some what surprised wth the squad selection.wth real game in mid week spalletti picked up very strong side, not that i would like to see weaker side but i hoped to see some of the key players rested ahead of a very very important game.

but then again if we can show the resolve we showed today, then im confident for the cl game.

You seriously think Real is just going to roll over and give up completely like Parma did yesterday?

The mentality the team had was that they had lost the game even before the kickoff, you were always going to win just don't get carried away with it being 4-0 as three of the goals were absolute defensive howlers.

I don't get how roma showed resolve yesterday as even a team of rank amateurs could have beaten us with the performance Parma gave so don't be too confident.

[dukeofdavinci]

You seriously think Real is just going to roll over and give up completely like Parma did yesterday?

lol that is exactly my point.i was quite worried to see our key players risked last night.coz i know how tough real can be.im not saying that just bcoz w beat parma 4-0 we can go there and relax but quite the opposite but if we showed the character we showed yesterday we have every fighting chance to get pass them.